(DALLAS, July 7, 2000) A north Texas couple accepted $23,000 in an out of court settlement after agreeing to drop a lawsuit over their newborn's circumcision. They say a Dallas obstetrician circumcised the infant against their wishes .

Charlie Hardy and Randi Harland believe circumcisions are barbaric, and performed without any medical reason. That's why they say they told their obstetrician they didn't want their baby boy circumcised.

"I knew the nurse and she said to make sure there's no mistakes. I'll just throw this in the trash. That way, there can't be any mistake he won't be circumcised," says Charlie Hardy, the boy's father. 

Two days later, a nurse brought little Robert Hardy into the couple's Tri-City Hospital room. He had just been circumcised.

"My son, in my opinion, was sexually mutilated. That's my opinion for my children. And no one wants to do anything about it," says Randi Harlan, the boy's mother. 

On the advice of his attorney, Dr. Roosevelt Taylor would not talk to FOX 4 News on camera. But when we asked Dr. Taylor on the phone about the parent's claims regarding an unwanted circumcision, he responded, "all that is definitely not true." 

Robert is now two years old. That's how long it took for both sides in the case to agree to a settlement. The parents say they wanted to file criminal charges against the doctor. They contacted Dallas Police, the Dallas County District Attorney, and state and federal Attorneys General.

"All the way through, this is not a crime. They thought it was humorous that I was so upset that he had been circumcised," says Hardy.

"I'm not advocating that they outlaw circumcision. I would like to eventually see it, but this society is not ready for that. But at least make it illegal for a doctor to do this when a parent says no," Harland said.

Most males in this country are circumcised soon after birth. A Dallas obstetrician told FOX 4 News that circumcisions can help lower the chances of contracting certain viruses and sexually transmitted diseases. But he also told us the main reason why boys get circumcised is because it's expected in our society.